Albino sword swallower at a carnival, Md. 1970

Image non disponible

En lire plusFavori

Artist Diane Arbus (American, 1923–1971)American, 1923–1971

Printer Neil Selkirk (American, born England, 1947)American, born England, 1947

CultureAmerican

Titles

Albino sword swallower at a carnival, Md. 1970

Date1970, printed later

Place depictedMaryland, United States

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsImage: 15 1/4 × 14 7/8 in. (38.7 × 37.8 cm)
Sheet: 19 7/8 × 16 in. (50.5 × 40.6 cm)

Credit LineThe Gay Block Collection, gift of Gay Block in honor of Anne Wilkes Tucker on the occasion of her retirement

Object number2015.213

Non exposé

Explore Further

Department

Photography

Object Type

PHOTOGRAPHS

DescriptionThroughout the 1950s and 1960s, Diane Arbus made portraits of people living in and around New York City, developing a recognizably blunt style in which she closely scrutinized her subjects while maintaining a personal distance. Among her best-known photographs are portraits of circus sideshow performers, such as this sword swallower, whom she presented with her arms outstretched in a triumphant pose that reveals her eccentric beauty, despite of her life on the fringes of society.
ProvenanceNeil Selkirk, New York, 1972; [Jo C. Tartt Gallery, Washington, D.C., date unknown]; Gay Block, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1987; given to MFAH, 2015.
Published References Significant monographic publication include: Arbus, Diane and Sandra Phillips. "Diane Arbus: Revelations." New York: Random House, 2003. Arbus, Diane. "Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph." New York, NY: Aperture Foundation, 1972. Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

verso top right in ink: Doon Arbus

verso top left a stamp: Not to be reproduced in any way without / written permission from Doon Arbus.
verso top right a stamp with additions in ink: A Diane Arbus photograph 34/75 / title ALBINO SWORD SWALLOWER / AT A CARNIVAL, MD 1970 / print by NEIL SELKIRK / Doon Arbus

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.